Today on Bruins Daily

For the first time since June 15, 2011, the Boston Bruins return to the scene of the crime where they hoisted Lord’s Stanley Cup over the heavily favorite Vancouver Canucks in Game 7.

A lot has changed since the two teams last met in Vancouver, including a new coach for the Canucks in John Tortorella. And instead of Tim Thomas hoisting the Cup in his proudest moment as a professional hockey player, the Bruins now have Tuukka Rask carrying the load. Dan St. Pierre will have an in-depth look at tonight’s matchup a little later on.

Don’t forget to follow us for live updates on Twitter at @BruinsDaily and use #DailyLive in your tweets

In case you missed it

The B’s have been lacking 60-minute efforts lately, but Chris Chirichiello explains how they’re still finding ways to win.

Chad Johnson has been filling in nicely when called upon. The Black and Gold have confidence in the backup goalie, and Anthony Travalgia says that you should too.

Want to relive the Bruins’ 4-2 victory in Edmonton Thursday night? Of course you do! Here’s the locker room reaction video from Rexall Place:

Know the enemy

So far, the John Tortorella era has drawn some mixed reviews in Vancouver. Lately, however, those reviews have been pretty positive as the Canucks ride a six-game winning streak and are 7-2-1 in their last 10.

When Tortorella came to “The Couv”, many thought the Canucks offensive production would take a dip, and it certainly has as they are averaging just 2.68 goals per game. Defensively, though, they are much stronger thanks to the tire pumper known as @Strombone1 Roberto Luonogo, who has three shutouts on the year. The Canucks D is starting to buy into Torts’ system that relies on grinding opponents out and blocking shots, and as a result, they are allowing just 2.29 goals per game, good for sixth in the league.

With the injury and flu bug going around the Boston locker room, this is a prime opportunity for the Canucks to move closer in the Pacific Division standings, and create some distance in the uber competitive Western Conference.

Bruins linkage

As a big supporter of hockey and academics, I found this piece very entertaining. BU graduate student Jeanna Radzinski interviews Bobby Robbins in her senior thesis, and the Providence Bruins enforcer revealed some impressive details about his career both on and off the ice.

In lieu of Shawn Thornton getting suspended for 15 games, Greg Ezell decides to grind more than just gears about the league’s department of player safety. (Days of Y’Orr)

Jesse Connolly looks at the best active former Bruins in his latest “Original Six” column. (New England Hockey Journal)

League linkage

Luongo’s journey to becoming a full-time starter – again – in Vancouver has been an interesting one. (Pierre LeBrun/ESPN)

Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle is still reluctant to reveal further details about his injury sustained two months ago in St. Louis. (Kevin Kurz/CSN Bay Area)

Torey Krug, Seth Jones and Tomas Hertl lead the way in the Calder Trophy race, but Graham Jenkins says you can add Valeri Nichushkin in the discussion of the top rookies in the 2013-14 season. (The Hockey Writers)

Bruins’ projected lines

Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Jarome Iginla
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Matt Fraser
Reilly Smith-Ryan Spooner-Carl Soderberg
Nick Johnson-Gregory Campbell-Jordan Caron

Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Matt Bartkowksi
Torey Krug-Kevan Miller

Tuukka Rask
Chad Johnson

Canucks’ projected lines

Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Jannik Hansen
Chris Higgins-Ryan Kesler-Mike Santorelli
David Booth-Brad Richardson-Zack Kassian
Tom Sestito-Zac Dalpe-Dale Weise

Dan Hamhuis-Chris Tanev
Ryan Stanton-Kevin Bieksa
Andrew Alberts-Jason Garrison

Roberto Luongo
Eddie Lack

Tweets of interest

As expected, there is mixed reaction to Thornton’s 15-game ban. So we’ll dedicate today’s tweets of interest to the many reactions from the Twitterverse:

Good work by Shanahan and Co. Fair response to unfair act.

— Fluto Shinzawa (@GlobeFluto) December 14, 2013

 

15 games for Thornton. Deserved every one of them — Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchCSN) December 14, 2013

if you’re outraged over possibility of Thornton getting 15 games: hahahahahaha. — Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) December 14, 2013

 

15-game suspension for Shawn Thornton might be too much, but I don’t disagree with the message Shanahan is sending to enforcers.

— Nick (@FlyingOrr) December 14, 2013

 

there is a Pray for Thornton hashtag? I quit. I need a new fanbase. Anyone hiring?

— PezDOY® (@PezDOY) December 14, 2013

 

For something completely different

If your traveling to Philadelphia anytime soon, then prepare to have your ID ready if you want to purchase the fried beer burger.